Posted: 05 January 2013 1325 hrs
SDP's Wijeysingha apologises to Tan Chuan-Jin for
defamatory comments
SINGAPORE: Opposition politician Dr Vincent Wijeysingha has
apologised to Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin for defamatory
comments about him in an article on the illegal strike by SMRT bus
drivers from China.
The article, "'You can resign and go to SBS,' the drivers were
told", was posted on his own Facebook page on December 2 last
year.
It focused on the strike on November 26 and 27 last year.
On Saturday, Dr Wijeysingha posted a Letter of Apology on his
Facebook page, saying he had made allegations which are "wholly
untrue and false".
He said he had alleged that the minister was either dishonest or
deceptive when he said he was not aware of the particular complaint
by the Chinese bus drivers which led to the strike.
He had also alleged that Mr Tan was being untruthful, dishonest
and/or at the very least disingenuous, in his assurance to the
public that there are legitimate processes in place to settle
labour disputes.
Dr Wijeysingha, who is Treasurer of the Singapore Democratic Party,
said this claim reflects the fact that Mr Tan is systematically
dishonest.
He had also alleged that the minister's lack of honesty and
integrity resulted from the fact that he has been "bought by
monetary and material inducements".
Dr Wijeysingha said these allegations were made without basis and
are defamatory.
He withdrew the allegations and apologised unreservedly to Mr
Tan.
He also said he won't repeat the same or similar allegations, or
cause them to be published, in the future.
- CNA/fa
